Battling Mucus to Defeat Cancer (IMAGE) University of Oklahoma Caption Inside their laboratory at the University of Oklahoma Sciences Center, Altaf Mohammed, Ph.D. (left) and C.V. Rao, Ph.D. focus on the role of mucins, a principal component of mucus, in pancreatic cancer tumor growth. Mucins appear to shield cancer cells, making them resistant to chemotherapy. Now, this Stephenson Cancer Center team has identified a new gene target common to many of those mucins. The discovery may be a chink in pancreatic cancer's defensive armor, and may point to new targeted therapies as well as a way to help make current treatments for this deadly cancer more effective. Credit Jim Green, EPI Usage Restrictions May be used by any publication in connection with news about the pancreatic cancer research conducted by Drs. Mohammed and Rao. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.